Chapter 6
A/N: Well, we most heartily apologise for making you guys wait for this chapter. RL sometimes takes its toll, Ryoko had to work on her original novel and Heaven had classes/finals, so there was much going on in the last few weeks.
Thanks to those who had so much patience. There were so many reviews that we'd rather just say a great big THANK YOU, rather than go through all the individual ones, because that means we can get this chapter to you guys that much sooner!
"I sure hope I'll have fun today in Hogsmeade." Ron was saying as he pulled his weekend robes on. "I talked to Hermione yesterday and she said she was looking forward to it."
Harry glared at Ron from the corner of his eye. He was hunched at the foot of his bed, trying to find a clean pair of socks in his trunk. Finding two mismatching ones, he realised he didn't care and slammed his trunk shut.
"What's the matter with you?" Ron stopped mid sentence and looked at Harry.
"Nothing." Harry muttered shortly. "I'm going to breakfast." He left the room without looking at anyone and headed down to the Great Hall. "Like I really want to hear you bragging anymore." He said darkly to himself. Harry sat down and grabbed some toast. He munched on it absentmindedly as his thoughts travelled to Hermione again.
He had been thinking about her all week, and had spent countless times trying to get near her in class, but she was like a brick wall, tough and unmoving in her resolve not to talk to him, much less look at him. Looking up now, Harry saw her walking in with Blaise. He bit down hard on his lower lip as he took in the fact that Hermione was obviously ready for her 'date' with Ron that day. She wore her hair tied back at the sides and a hint of makeup. Yet underneath it all, Harry could tell she wasn't truly happy.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the loud arrival of the rest of the students; a moment later the platters had filled up down the table and everyone was eating.
Hermione picked nervously at her breakfast, she was and she wasn't looking forward to spending the day with Ron. A slight feeling of guilt had been nagging at her all week long, Hermione knew perfectly well the only reason she'd said yes to Ron was to make Harry jealous.
"Hermione, are you sure you really want to go today?" Blaise asked her.
Hermione shrugged. "I am, sort of…"
"Why don't you just talk to Harry?" Blaise rested her chin on her hand and leaned forward.
"Because Blaise. He really hurt me when he said those things."
"He didn't mean them, you must know that." Blaise said.
Hermione didn't reply, instead she just finished off her cereal and stood up. "I'm going to the front doors to meet him. I'll see you later." She said coolly.
"Hermione, don't go." Blaise tried one more time. "Go talk to Harry and spend the day with him instead.
"I'll see you later." Hermione repeated, ignoring what Blaise said. She left the Great Hall and stood next to the front doors.
Blaise watched her leave, a frown appearing across her pretty face. She couldn't be too angry at Hermione; she was more upset on Harry's behalf. How could Hermione know she had recently begun to develop quite an attraction to the Gryffindor Quidditch captain when Blaise had never said a word on the topic? She turned and jumped, Harry had come up on her side.
"Hi Blaise." He said.
"Hi Harry." She replied.
"So… did Hermione leave already?" Harry asked, hopeful that he could try and catch her one last time.
"Just now." Blaise motioned with her head towards the main hallway.
"You should have heard Ron talking about her this morning." Harry's lip curled slightly as he folded his arms across his chest.
Blaise's heart sank. "He really likes her?" her voice came out a little high pitched.
"Apparently so." They both looked at each other and Harry's eyes widened. "You like Ron!"
"You're smarter than I thought you were." Blaise narrowed her eyes. "And I'll thank you not to noise that around either."
"Not a word." Harry grinned then. "Well listen… I don't know about you but I was just going to go down to Hogsmeade and mope. Want to go with me?"
"You're not asking me to make Hermione jealous are you?" Blaise asked.
"No! I swear!" Harry held his hands up. "Just as friends. We can mope together."
Blaise bit back a smile. "All right." She said. "I need to go back and get my money; I'll meet you by the front doors in ten minutes."
Once they got down into Hogsmeade, both unconsciously began looking for Hermione and Ron.
"They might be in Zonko's." Harry pointed in the direction of the joke shop. "Ron's brothers turned him into a roving prankster over the years and he goes there every time we're in Hogsmeade."
"Sounds good." Blaise replied. They got in the store and immediately saw Ron and Hermione leaving through a side door. Harry and Blaise looked at each other, coming to an unspoken agreement to follow their friends. They were heading towards the Three Broomsticks, most likely for a butterbeer.
"Do your brothers really own that whole store?" Hermione was referring to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Ron had bragged about it while in Zonko's, he was trying to convince his brothers to expand to Hogsmeade. "I knew of it, but I didn't know it was owned by someone in your immediate family.
"Well they started developing ideas while they were still at Hogwarts; you'd have known all about it if you were in Gryffindor, the two of them were always pulling some prank or another in the common room." Ron said as they sat down at a corner table together. "Mum wasn't happy about it at first but they're doing really well."
Madam Rosmerta came over then, and they both ordered butterbeer. "So Hermione," Ron leaned back in his chair. "Are any of your friends coming down today?"
"Uh… I don't know." Hermione didn't want to admit that she only had two friends, one of which she wasn't talking to at the moment.
"I thought you might be meeting Blaise later or something." Ron said.
"Perhaps, if I run into her." Hermione replied. "I'm not sure if she was planning on coming down today."
"Do you think she might come here?" Ron sat up straight and took the tankard of butterbeer that Madam Rosmerta set in front of him.
"Doesn't everyone?" Hermione asked, sipping her own butterbeer.
"Yeah, I suppose." Ron said. "What do you two like to do together?"
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know… we often do our homework together, over the summer when I stay with her, anything is game I guess."
"Cool." Ron sat back again.
"Why are you so interested in Blaise?" Hermione asked.
"Um…" Ron's face turned pink. "I'm just… curious."
Hermione regarded him skeptically. "You seem awfully interested in her to be just plain curious."
"Err…" Ron realised too late that he'd dug himself in a hole. "I've never been known for my subtlety." He offered, trying to flash her a grin.
Hermione didn't smile. "It figures."
"What?" Ron at least had the decency to look embarrassed now.
"One of the only times I get asked out, and he's only interested in my best friend." Hermione muttered miserably.
Ron felt terrible now, he figured she had lots of dates, she was certainly cute enough. "Look, I'm sorry." He reached over and put a hand on hers. "I didn't ask you out JUST to find out about Blaise."
"Sure you didn't." Hermione snorted. He thought she was going to get up and storm out, when all of a sudden she began to laugh, almost hysterically.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked, starting to laugh as well although he didn't know why.
"You… you asked me out… to find out about Blaise…" Hermione's eyes were watering as she waved her hand in front of her face. "I agreed to go out with you… to make Harry Potter jealous!"
"What?" Now it was Ron's turn to gape. "You're just trying to make Harry jealous?"
"I'm sorry!" Hermione tried to calm down by taking several deep breaths. "But that makes us even doesn't it?"
Ron's mouth twitched. "It does." He began to laugh again and so did she.
"I don't get what's so funny." Harry whispered to Blaise from across the room where they were hidden behind two menus.
"Me either." Blaise replied, peering over at them. Ron was positively howling, while Hermione was sitting back and clutching her stomach. She looked at Harry. "You don't think they're having THAT good a time together do you?" her tone was worried.
"I hope not. I hope he's just said something stupid is all." Harry said. He bit his lower lip; certainly Ron wasn't so smooth that he could win her over in just a few hours. "I don't feel like sitting here anymore. I think I'm going to go back to the castle." Harry felt like he was going to be violently ill. If he hadn't known it before, he certainly did now. He was completely in love with Hermione.
"I think I'm going to stick around." Blaise said. "Maybe I can get her to go back; I can try and distract Ron or something."
"Well… good luck." Harry said, offering her a slight smile. Blaise looked up at him.
"Harry, we'll all work everything out." She said, touching his arm lightly. "I don't know what's going on, but Hermione's not the type to fall so quickly for another guy."
Harry simply nodded and then left the restaurant. Blaise squared her shoulders, and then shook her reddish gold hair out of the ponytail she'd pulled it back in. Assuming a confident gait, she made her way over to Ron and Hermione.
"I didn't expect to see you two here!" she beamed, acting as if she'd just come into the place. "Mind if I sit down with you? I'm afraid I'm quite bored and could use some company."
"Uh…uh…sure…" Ron stammered. Hermione had to bite back her giggles.
"Thanks." Blaise said, sitting in the chair next to Ron and moving it closer. "I've been meaning to tell you what a spectacular win your team pulled last week in the Quidditch match." She ran her hand along Ron's arm and he gulped audibly.
Hermione caught Blaise's eye and pressed her lips together in suppressed laughter. For once she didn't mind taking backseat to Blaise, hopefully this was making Ron's day. "I think I'm going to go back." She said.
"What?" Ron tore his eyes from Blaise. "Hermione, you don't have to go."
"No, it's okay." Hermione felt good as she stood up. "You two have fun today." She stood up and so did Blaise.
"I'll be right back, now don't you go anywhere." Blaise teased Ron, who turned red to the tips of his ears.
"Oh I won't." he said immediately. His eyes never left the two girls as they went a short distance from the table.
"Hermione, go back up to the castle." Blaise ordered as soon as they were out of earshot.
"What, you take my date and then you order me around?" Hermione put her hands on her hips.
Blaise gave Hermione a look. "You don't seem too upset over it. Besides, there's someone else heading back that you need to talk to."
"If you mean Harry…"
"Yes, I do, and I swear, if you don't go talk to him I'm going to tell him about the bet." Blaise threatened.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Maybe, maybe not." Blaise gave Hermione a superior smile. "But if you go talk to him, you'll never have to find out."
"Fine." Hermione said. "Happy?"
"Very." Blaise grinned. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a cute little redhead waiting for me back at my table."
"Go easy on him Blaise. This one actually likes you, so don't break his heart too fast."
"I have no intentions to." Blaise whipped back around and sailed back to Ron, who looked like he'd just won a lottery. Hermione shook her head and left, jumping into one of the carriages taking students back to Hogwarts.
"Hermione?"
She turned and blinked disbelievingly. "H - Harry?"
A hesitant but happy smile crossed his lips. "I'm glad you're here."
Hermione swallowed at the sight of that smile, the mere sight of his lips curving upwards was enough to send her into euphoria. "Oh." Was all she could manage. She turned to see if she could jump from the carriage but it was already moving, the doors locked until they got back to the castle. Hermione was stuck with Harry, whether she liked it or not.
"I've wanted to talk to you all week long." Harry was taking his chance, especially since she couldn't leave the carriage.
"That's nice." Hermione said as coolly as possible. Being this close to him made her realise how much she had missed his company.
"I mean it, Hermione. Seeing you with Ron makes me realise that I don't like watching you with other guys." Harry said.
"I'm not your girlfriend. I can see whoever I want." Hermione stared back at him, almost daring him to take on her cold words.
Harry sighed. "You're right, you're not." He paused for what seemed like ten minutes, and Hermione thought he wasn't going to talk anymore at all when he raised his head and then moved over so he was sitting on the seat next to her. "But I know we have feelings for each other."
"I did, but not anymore." Hermione heard herself say, and she wanted to slap herself for sounding so horrid. "LIAR!" Her mind screamed.
"Fine, so I could kiss you and you'd feel nothing then." Harry leaned forward so his face was closer to hers.
"Nothing." Hermione tried to keep her voice from trembling. "I wouldn't feel anything."
Harry didn't respond, not vocally. His desire for her had grown high since she had stepped in the carriage and now his senses were in overload, and he could think of one thing only. Kissing her. He brought his face down so it was a scant inch away from hers, needing badly to feel her soft lips against his.
Hermione had no idea how she was able to think clearly when Harry's mouth was so near, she remembered too well how his lips had pressed on hers just a week before.
"Harry?" she said as she felt the carriage come to a lurching stop.
"What?" he answered, his eyes half closed in anticipation.
"If you want to kiss me, you'll have to catch me!" Hermione, for once in her life, was graceful as she jumped down from the carriage and took off for the castle.
Harry stared open mouthed after her. Was that an invitation, he wasn't sure what she was trying to imply. Hopping down, he gazed towards the castle in time to see her stop and look straight back at him.
She did want him to chase her! Harry took off running and grinned as he heard her give off a shriek and charge into the castle.
Hermione ducked behind a suit of armour, waiting for Harry to go past. She wasn't exactly sure what she was hoping to accomplish by playing this, but it was more fun than she'd had in a week.
Harry's eyes darted around the hallway, Hermione couldn't have gone far, he'd still see her if she was heading to her common room.
Hermione covered her mouth as she watched Harry look around the corridor for her. It was hard not to laugh as he spun every which way, trying to see where she was. A small giggle escaped her throat and Harry whipped around, looking straight at her hiding place.
"Aha!" he shouted and Hermione screamed and darted from behind the armour, Harry hot on her trail. They ran a path that led them through the Transfigurations corridor, by the library, past the kitchens, and near the Great Hall. Harry had not counted on Hermione being such a fast runner, and he was almost out of breath when he felt his body put on a burst of speed, and he grabbed her by the arm.
"Ahhh!" Hermione shrieked, losing her balance as Harry pulled on her wrist. She fell forward, Harry toppling over her.
"Ow!" he yelped, his body landing heavily on her.
"Uhhh Harry Potter you weigh a ton!" Hermione groaned. He felt bad and immediately rolled off her.
"Sorry!" he apologised. They sat up and stared at one another for a long moment, and Harry reached out and grabbed her wrist again. "So… I caught you."
"You caught me." Hermione answered softly. "What are you going to do with me?" her eyes betrayed her nervousness.
Harry didn't answer, just leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against hers. It was a gentle kiss, not necessarily full of passion but full of what Harry and Hermione felt for one another. He pulled back, not far, just enough so that their lips weren't touching and opened his eyes. She had just opened hers as well; they had that sweet and dazed look in them, like she'd had when Harry had kissed her the first time in the rain.
"Come on." Harry moved his hand down and took hers. "Let's go outside and talk." He laced their fingers together and pulled Hermione to her feet. They silently went down to the main corridor and were outside seconds later, the warm spring breeze caressing their faces. Walking across the grounds, closer to the lake, Harry came to the realisation that he wasn't sure where to begin.
"I thought you wanted to talk." Hermione looked at him from the corner of her eye.
"I do." Harry stopped in his tracks and turned to her. "But first, I really, really want to-" his last words were cut off because he had bent down and kissed her again. The kiss was anything but chaste this time, Harry immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her body tight against his. Hermione let out a surprised squeal, which then turned into a delighted purr deep in her throat that made Harry groan and press harder against her mouth. He gently touched his tongue to her closed lips and was rewarded immediately; she kissed him back as passionately as she could, sliding her arms up and around his neck.
Harry moved one hand up and down her back, threading his fingers through her soft locks. Hermione curved her body against him, sliding her nails through the hair at his nape. He shuddered and regretfully pulled his mouth away. Both sucked air into their lungs; Harry leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes again.
"Who said you can just go and kiss me like that?" Hermione asked, her eyes closed as well.
"Me." Harry answered, grinning impishly. He bent down again and lightly kissed her again, letting his lips linger on hers for a moment or two. "I've wanted to do that for a few weeks."
"I've wanted to do that for a few years." Hermione replied absently. Harry's eyes opened wide and Hermione slapped a hand over her mouth, backing away from Harry.
"What?" he asked. "What did you say?"
"Noth… nothing." Hermione backed away even further, and then turned so that she was facing away from Harry. Hot tears stung her eyes, why had she said that, why?
"Hermione, you've… had a crush on me for a few years?" Harry stepped up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder.
'I uh…" Hermione brushed away at a few stray tears. "You probably think I'm stupid for saying that."
Harry turned her around and lifted her chin so that their eyes met. "I only wish you had said something sooner. We could have gotten to know each other ages ago."
"Really?" Hermione's voice was small as she sniffed back her remaining tears.
"And I'd have fallen in love with you much sooner." Harry said softly, his green eyes piercing into her.
Hermione's mouth dropped open. Harry? In love with her? The world began to spin around her and Harry caught her. "You love me?" she managed weakly, fresh tears springing to her eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah." Harry grinned down at her. "I do." He laughed as Hermione threw her arms around his neck and began to sob into his shoulder. "What's all this about?" he asked moments later as she pulled away and wiped at her eyes. "I'd have thought you'd be happy." Harry teased.
"I am." Hermione sniffed. "I just… I've wanted to hear that for a long time."
Harry gently used his thumb to wipe away any remaining tears, and then kissed her softly. "Get used to hearing it, because I'm going to be saying that for a very, very long time." He pulled Hermione against him again, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck.
"I love you too." He heard her say, and upon hearing that, Harry swung her around, delighting in her happy squeal.
They walked all over the grounds that day, hands clasped tightly together, stopping every so often… well really, more like every few minutes, to kiss. Between snogs, Harry and Hermione managed to carry on a conversation about anything and everything.
"When did you start liking me?" Harry asked as they walked past Hagrid's hut.
"Back in our fourth year," Hermione was no longer bashful. "It might seem silly to you, but it meant a lot to me."
"What was it?" Harry was curious as he racked his brain trying to think of something he did with her in fourth year.
"Well… do you remember that time, right around the beginning of the year, that group of Hufflepuffs who went around causing trouble came up to me in the corridor after breakfast and ripped my bag?"
Harry bit his lower lip as he tried to remember. "And they smashed your ink bottles and broke all your quills…" he said slowly.
"Yes!" Hermione said. "And then, you helped me pick everything up…"
"And I gave you my eagle feather quill to replace the broken ones." Harry finished. "I can't believe I forgot about that!"
"It meant a lot to me, especially since Blaise wasn't there to help me." Hermione replied. "I still have that quill too."
"Do you really?" Harry asked, chuckling. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly to him.
"My turn." Hermione giggled. "Let's see…." She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. "Why me?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"Why did you decide on me?" Hermione asked. "What makes me so special?"
Harry gazed down at her, lifting one hand to softly caress her cheek. "Because, Hermione. You're smart, funny, and I think you're gorgeous. You're one of the only people that likes me for me. All those other girls want me because of my fame. You don't treat me like a celebrity."
A small smile quirked at the corners of her mouth, "You're just plain old Harry." Hermione teased.
"Surely an avid reader such as yourself could come up with some better words than that." Harry teased, wrapping his arms around her middle. "Magnificent, handsome, dashing…"
"I still like plain old Harry Potter." Hermione grinned.
"Plain." Harry gave her an evil but at the same time charming grin. "You'd better RUN, Granger!"
Hermione let out a scream and took off running, Harry hot on her heels. Their chase was reminiscent of the one earlier, except that he now knew just how fast she could run and was able to catch her within just a few minutes.
"Plain!" he was merciless as he tickled her sides. Hermione shouted in laughter.
"Stop!" she cried. "Please! You're not plain!"
"What am I then?" he asked playfully, easing up a bit on his attack.
Hermione took in great gulps of air. "You're… you're…"
"I'm what?" Harry held up his hand threateningly.
"You're… indescribable." Hermione said desperately. Harry fought down a wide grin.
"That was good, Granger." He leaned over, letting his mouth hover near hers.
Hermione felt her breath quicken as she saw Harry's eyes darken. She tilted her head up and their lips met in a fiery, unbreakable kiss. Harry pushed her down so that she lay on her back on the ground, and he leaned over her, one hand tangling itself into her thick hair, the other gently cupping the side of her face.
Hermione responded happily and eagerly, delving her tongue into his mouth. He gave a sort of strangled moan, and in a rather bold move, ran his hand down the side of her body, aching to feel her curves in his palm. She gave a slight gasp into his mouth, the feeling of his hand at first a shock, but she gave in almost immediately, his touch something she had craved for a long time. Harry's fingers came up under her shirt and touched her skin; Hermione was brought back to a dream of so long ago, where his touch had felt like silk.
Harry's lips left hers and began to move down her neck, he suckled her skin lightly, not wanting to leave marks on her. Hermione fisted her hand in his hair, letting her head fall back, making her neck more accessible to him. His hand moved from her waist to lightly cup her breast. Harry's palm was still under her shirt, he very nearly lost it when his fingers brushed against the lacy fabric of her bra.
"Hermione…" Harry breathlessly pulled his mouth from hers. "We should stop…"
She sat up, pulling down her shirt while the familiar blush made its way across her cheeks. "I'm sorry." Hermione murmured.
"No." Harry touched her cheek. "I just… I think if we keep going, we'll do something that we're not ready for quite yet."
Hermione nodded, and looked up at him with a shy smile. "Okay." He stood up and then reached down, taking her hand securely in his.
"Want to head back? I'm sure everyone's gotten back from Hogsmeade by now." He said as they began a leisurely walk to the castle.
Hermione felt a surge of déjà vu when Harry opened the doors for her; this felt just like the previous week, they were only missing the rain. Harry must have been thinking along the same lines, for her curved his arm around her waist.
"Are you hungry, want to head over to the Great Hall?" He asked.
"Sure." Hermione answered, leaning into him. Harry pressed his lips briefly to her temple and moved his hand down so that it gripped hers tightly.
"Do you hear that?" Harry asked, as they were nearing the Great Hall. Hermione cocked her head to the side and listened intently.
"Hear what?" she asked.
"It sounded like…that!" Harry exclaimed, pointing towards an almost hidden door. "Whatever it was came from in there."
"Harry there are tons of things that could make noises, especially here at Hogwarts." Hermione said reasonably. A shuffling sound and a giggle met her ears. "I know that laugh!" she charged over to the closet, Harry trailing behind her.
Harry put a hand on the knob, and then in one swift move, jerked it open.
"Blaise!" Hermione gasped. Her best friend sat on the floor of the tiny closet, locked in quite a passionate clinch with Ron Weasley. Harry gaped down at them as well, and then slammed the door shut.
"Well…" Harry looked at Hermione with wide eyes. "That was… that was…."
Hermione bit down on her lower lip, looking from Harry to the door. "That was really funny!" she said, unable to keep the giggles from bursting out.
Harry started to laugh. "Aye that was." Their eyes met and both laughed even harder. "Come on." He took her hand once more as the closet fell further and further behind them.
As they neared the Great Hall, Harry took both her hands in his and pushed her up against the wall. "Just one more before dinner." He grinned and she found herself unable to resist, yet again. Harry gently pressed his lips to hers, leaving the kiss soft and somewhat innocent due to the fact that students were now starting to shuffle past them.
"Well look at the two of you!" Blaise was walking up, hand in hand with Ron. She was unable to hide how pleased she was. "Who'd have thought Hermione would be making out in public?" she announced loudly.
"Shut up Blaise." Hermione broke the kiss and turned to glare at her best friend.
Blaise grinned saucily at her while Ron could only stand there and look at his good fortune. "Come on, let's go eat." She said.
"We'll be in there in a moment." Harry said, grinning and waving them past.
"Right, right." Blaise joked and pulled on Ron's hand. "Come on love, I'm hungry." She said.
Harry and Hermione watched them go in, and then he turned back to her. "What are you doing tonight?" he asked.
"I hope I'll be off somewhere with a certain green eyed guy." Hermione teased.
Harry grinned again. "Does he have black hair and play Quidditch?" he asked jokingly.
"Maybe." A playful smirk tugged at her mouth.
"In that case, could I possibly tempt you away on a date?" Harry asked softly.
"You very possibly could." Hermione answered as he rested his forehead on hers.
Harry chuckled. "How about eight, I'll meet you in front of your common room?"
"That's fine." Hermione felt the growing excitement inside her.
"Great!" Harry was excited too. "Don't eat too much then." He said quietly in her ear. "I'll see you then." He grinned and dashed off down the hall.
"What?" Hermione was confused. "What about dinner?"
A/N: Well that seems like an abrupt place to end, but it's as good as any ;) Stay tuned for the DATE in the next chapter!
Happy Holidays to everyone, and a special thank you to Mandy for helping us out in this chapter! R/R!!!